Infrared Sauna And Cancer Treatment: Myths Vs. Reality

The idea of complementing traditional cancer treatment with natural remedies isn’t new. But among all things cancer relief, infrared sauna and cancer cure is the latest talk of the internet. 

You see, the use of infrared saunas alongside chemotherapy and radiation has become quite popular over the past few years. And with this has come a ton of online literature on how saunas can potentially cure cancer.

Now, I am not saying that a Steamist sauna regimen, among other things, doesn’t provide relief during cancer diagnosis. However, there’s always some truth and some lie to what you read online, making it hard to separate fact from fiction. 

In fact, this is exactly why I’ve explained the myths and realities around infrared saunas and cancer treatment. 

So, read on and find for yourself what infrared saunas can actually do.

How does an infrared sauna work? 

Before we get started with the myths and realities around infrared sauna cancer relief, it's essential you’re acquainted with the workings of these saunas. 

If you’re someone who has frequented traditional saunas, you know that they’re super-warm enclosures with dry heat and occasional steam bursts using a sauna heater with rocks. Also, you might be aware of how exposing your body to this warm ambiance brings a slew of health benefits. 

An infrared sauna does pretty much the same thing. But instead of heating ambient air or the entire sauna, these saunas use infrared lamps to directly heat your body from the inside out.

This rather unique approach provides a deeper and more penetrating heat without the discomfort of high heat and humidity. And this is one of the reasons why people diagnosed with cancer find infrared saunas way more comfortable and relieving. 

Myths vs. reality around infrared sauna and cancer relief ​​​

​Now that you know how infrared saunas exactly work, let’s start debunking the myths around their cancer treatment capacity, one myth at a time:  

Myth 1: Infrared saunas cure cancer
The idea that an infrared sauna can cure cancer is by far the biggest myth. Yet a lot of people take it as a fact, especially those who are desperately looking for a solution. 

And while it may sound fascinating in the first place, let me tell you that there is no scientific evidence to suggest infrared saunas can treat cancer. 

So, take my advice and stick to modern medical science when it comes to curing cancer. 

Reality: Infrared sauna might complement the overall treatment  
Infrared saunas cannot cure cancer on their own, it's a stated fact. However, there’s new research that suggests an infrared sauna might well be complementary to the overall medical procedure. 

In fact, the potential benefits of these saunas can help cancer patients respond to the ongoing treatment better. 

Sounds interesting doesn’t it? 

Let’s see how exactly does infrared sauna for cancer works: 

A. It exposes your body to controlled hyperthermia
Complicated as it might sound, hyperthermia is simply a controlled application of heat to your body. 

According to the American Cancer Society, hyperthermia can improve the effectiveness of medical procedures such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, among others. And it does so by improving how well your body responds to these treatments. 

Now, the fact that infrared saunas expose your body to hyperthermia means there’s a scientific basis to claim it is an add-on therapy to conventional cancer medication. 

You see, infrared saunas induce mild yet full-body hyperthermia, which in turn enhances the effects of ongoing treatment. 

So, the idea here is quite straightforward: Cancer cells are more vulnerable to heat than your healthy cells. Thus, exposing them to high temperatures can damage or even kill them.

B. Increased blood flow for better response to treatment
As you might already be aware, infrared saunas are known to improve circulation, just like your traditional steam generator saunas. Herein, the high sauna temperature warms your body up, dilates blood vessels, and increases overall blood flow. 

An increased blood flow or circulation also reaches the cancer-affected parts of the body and delivers additional oxygen and nutrients. And this makes tumor cells more sensitive to chemotherapy, enhancing the effects of treatment. 

C. It promotes detoxification and natural healing capabilities
When it comes to natural detoxification, infrared saunas are rated as the best of all saunas. That’s because infrared heat is known to induce increased sweating, which helps eliminate toxins, heavy metals, etc., more effectively. 

It goes without saying that detoxification is in no way linked to conventional cancer treatment.

Nevertheless, removing harmful substances can support the body's natural healing. And this will only complement the ongoing medication. 

Myth 2: EMF radiation in infrared saunas can replace mainstream treatment 
Yet another myth around infrared saunas is that they might be able to replace conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. And this usually stems from the fact that an infrared sauna creates EMF radiation which could potentially kill cancer cells. 

Let me tell you that this is a dangerous misconception that puts the lives of cancer patients at risk. 

Yes, there’s EMF radiation in infrared saunas, but this is different from the medical-grade induced radiation used to treat cancer. Meaning you should not mistake the radiation in an infrared sauna for potential cancer treatment and rather stick to modern medical science.
 
Reality: Infrared sauna can be used for post-therapy pain relief 
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy are a result of research and experiments carried out for centuries if not more. And they’re quite effective at treating various types of cancer. 

In fact, these treatments have successfully diagnosed millions of patients and have turned out to be a lifesaver. 

However, these treatments can also be quite painful. For instance, chemotherapy is often associated with peripheral neuropathy that can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in feet, hands, etc.

Now, there’s clear evidence that infrared saunas can alleviate such side effects of cancer treatment. 

For instance, cancer patients have experienced instant relief from pain and fatigue that result from chemotherapy and radiation after intermittent infrared sauna sessions. 

In addition to the therapeutic benefits infrared saunas may offer, they also contribute to overall wellness over time. Understanding the concept of sauna longevity can help you see how consistent sauna use supports both immediate and long-term health goals.

Note: You should consult with your oncologist or healthcare provider before including an infrared sauna in your treatment plan to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your condition.
You might also want to read - The 8 Best Sauna Heaters In 2024. 

Can infrared saunas ever become effective cancer treatment?

The idea that infrared saunas might be the future of cancer treatment might sound far-fetched. And rightly so, since there’s zero scientific evidence to back the idea. 

However, there are some promising early-stage scientific trials in that direction. 

For instance, MDPI published a study conducted on mice. Here, a bunch of mice exposed to far-infrared radiation experienced a drastic reduction in tumor volume. 

The best part: This drastic tumor reduction happened in a span of just a month.

So, while it's still too early to speculate, infrared sauna for cancer patients might become more robust sometime in the future.  

Do infrared saunas cause cancer? 

No, infrared saunas aren’t even remotely associated with cancer. 

Rather, these saunas can help you accelerate your ongoing cancer treatment and help you recover faster. 

However, it's important to consult with your doctor before you use an infrared sauna to enhance your recovery. 

Also, it's essential to make yourself aware of the various risks of infrared saunas for continued safety and well-being. 

To sum up 

Infrared saunas have gotten a lot of attention lately as a potential cancer treatment. But not everything that you read or listen to is true. 

And that’s why it was essential to separate myth from reality and provide you with complete clarity on what’s true and what’s not. 

After all, infrared sauna, or any other sauna for that matter, has never been an alternative to modern medicine. 

Curious how you can elevate your cancer recovery with an in-house sauna? 
You can get in touch with us!

At Steam & Sauna Experts, our online storefront features top-of-the-line sauna solutions from industry leaders like Amerec, Delta, and ThermaSol. And we’ve got all your sauna requirements covered on a budget. 

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